The Duchess of Cornwall’s role as an unsung champion of the victims of rape
and sexual abuse will come to the forefront next week when she makes an
impassioned speech calling for a fundamental change in society’s attitudes.

For the past three years, almost unnoticed, the Duchess has travelled the
country hearing the stories of rape victims, meeting campaigners and talking
to officers from the specialist rape unit of the Metropolitan Police.

On Tuesday she will hold a reception at Clarence House for groups dealing with
rape and sexual abuse in which she will speak of her passion for a

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Sandra Watts

At her home in Basildon, Essex, Sandra Watts shows off her invitation from the Duchess of Cornwall She is happy and excited; a far cry from the woman who once suffered a breakdown after enduring years of sexual abuse.
Mrs Watts met the Duchess in October 2011 at the South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre in Grays, where, as a former client, she is now a devoted fundraiser.
Mrs Watts, 45, is pleased that someone so prominent is tackling "such a taboo subject". She said: "Usually it is just swept under the carpet."
As a child she was abused for years by an older brother. About ten years ago she had a breakdown and lost her job. She told the police about the abuse and her brother was jailed. Throughout she relied on the crisis centre’s help.
"They have turned my life around," she said.